Pulling my 280ZX rear differential.

[240DrpTop]

I've decided to pull my rear differential. I have that clunking thing going on when I get on and off the pedal at low speeds. So far I have checked the mounts and bushings and all the universal joints.They all seem to be OK. There is some play in the side bearings of the diff., about .060 in. and about 1/8 in. play(maybe more) when I rotate either of the rear wheels, which is probably a combination of things. Not yet sure weather to replace or rebuild.I guess I'll know better once I get in there. Any advice sure would be appreciated. BTW the car has 189K on it.Thanks.


Modified by 240DrpTop at 12:02 PM 12/7/2008

[evildky]

nothing lasts forever, it's a PITA to get the diff out but if you geot a knock you have little choice, it'd be nice to locate an 87.5-89 CLSD

[240DrpTop]

nothing lasts forever, it's a PITA to get the diff out but if you geot a knock you have little choice, it'd be nice to locate an 87.5-89 CLSD

Yeah, PITA but, no choice. I have the axels out. Pull the dif this weekend.I have new struts,and the breaks have been done,calipers,pads,lines, ande- brake cables. so... with the diff rebuilt and the new mounts and universal joints replaced,and axels lubed w/new boots,the rear suspension should be a lot tighter.

[evildky]

you might want to take a look at the crossmsmber bushings and trailing arms bushings while you are doing everything else

[240DrpTop]

you might want to take a look at the crossmsmber bushings and trailing arms bushings while you are doing everything else

Thanks for that input. Any suggestions as to where to get those bushings?I'm thinking http://www.courtesyparts.com/

[evildky]

dealer only for the stockers, msa, and BD also sell OE aprts and might have urethane alternatives

[240DrpTop]

dealer only for the stockers, msa, and BD also sell OE aprts and might have urethane alternatives

Thanks!

[zxman69]

I'm going through the same thing . check your subframe bushings. there was nothing left of mine. you can still get them at nissan.

[240DrpTop]

I'm going through the same thing . check your subframe bushings. there was nothing left of mine. you can still get them at nissan.

Thanks for the suggestion I will check that out.

[240DrpTop]

A couple pics of my progress. I've decided to rebuild this one myself. Didn't get much done this weekend, with the holidays comming up and all. But I did manage to pick up new bearings and seals.

Some before pics.







I'll get some better pics as things progress.

[evildky]

uh oh.....

it's generally easier to get the output shfts out with the diff is bolted to the car, but now that it's out, give each a whack with a BFK and hopefuelly you can pry them out without too much drama

[evildky]

and nice Z31

[240DrpTop]

and nice Z31

Thanks for the advice and the compliment.

[240DrpTop]

Well, I did manage to get some... work done today.

Output shafts removed,

Differential case assembly, gears seem to be in good shape.Not sure how I am going to pull those bearings yet. I don't have the right puller. I'll have to think about that.

Differential housing

Now with the teadius task of cleaning everything up before re-assembly. I first have to do a break job on the Z31. More pics when things start to go back together.I decided not to do the pinion bearings being as they seem to be in working order. Will replace the front seal though.

[evildky]

might want to go ahead and get the pinion bearing, thts the most common point of failure and with the longsnout r200 it's under a lot of strain

[mtnhighus]

if you have a NAPA store with a machine shop close by they will pull and press on your new bearings for almost nothing, did some in a truck of mine a couple of years ago, cost me 15 bucks for 3 bearings.

[240DrpTop]

if you have a NAPA store with a machine shop close by they will pull and press on your new bearings for almost nothing, did some in a truck of mine a couple of years ago, cost me 15 bucks for 3 bearings.

Thanks mtnhighus! I brought it to a local transmission shop. They said that it would be ready tomorrow.

[240DrpTop]

might want to go ahead and get the pinion bearing, thts the most common point of failure and with the longsnout r200 it's under a lot of strain

Would be nice but...I don't think Santa is going to bring any pinion bearings.

[mtnhighus]

might want to go ahead and get the pinion bearing, thts the most common point of failure and with the longsnout r200 it's under a lot of strain

are there shims under the bearings to adjust the pinion depth, and ring gear carrier housing? i've rebuilt a couple of rear ends but this is the first nissan i've seen the inside of. looks pretty straightforward.

[evildky]

IIRC the R200 uses a crush sleeve

[mtnhighus]

oh, cool, thanks for the info, will continue to watch, and hopefully learn a little more. thanks to OP too.

[240DrpTop]

Here's a quick update. Finally got a chance to do a some work. Housing cleaned and painted. Bearings installed, Front seal installed.Picking up output shaft seals today.Starting to fit things back together.Can't go forward with out shim set, to set backlash and preload.I'll have to research a supplier for that.

Cleaned housing.

New front seal.

Things starting to go back together.

Close up.

Hopefully I can get that shim set and have this assembled by the end of this weekend.

Modified by 240DrpTop at 11:16 AM 12/29/2008
Modified by 240DrpTop at 11:20 AM 12/29/2008

[240DrpTop]

Finally got a chance to post an update. Finished assembly.Realized that shim set was not required. Got some help with this from zcarnut.Thanks.

Input and output shafts assembled. Wear pattern. .006 backlash, a little on the high side but within tolerance.

Finished differential ready for installation.

Holding off on installation until half shafts are rebuilt. Hopefully will get some work done this weekend.

Modified by 240DrpTop at 1:03 PM 1/7/2009

Modified by 240DrpTop at 1:05 PM 1/7/2009
Modified by 240DrpTop at 1:07 PM 1/7/2009

[evildky]

wow, thats opurty, how many hours were spent cleanign that diff cover? and you wanna trade ti for a dirty one

[240DrpTop]

wow, thats opurty, how many hours were spent cleanign that diff cover? and you wanna trade ti for a dirty one

Thats too funny. I could just send you the cleaner but, I don't think I have any left.

[240DrpTop]

Thought I would give the final update. I know It's been a long time. Sorry for not wrapping this up sooner...been flat out latley. Anyway the rear end has been back in the car for a while now and it seems to run just fine. For the first time since I've owned this POS, it's finally starting to feel like driving a real car. The hard work is starting to pay off...slowly! But thats OK. It will be on the road one day. Got the new floors and rails, but haven't found the time or the courage yet.lol Soon I hope.